A cool-influenced tenor saxophonist who once studied under Lennie Tristano, Ted Brown learned banjo and violin from his father, and clarinet and tenor sax from his uncle. After playing in Army bands from 1945-1947 and in Hollywood from 1947-1948, Brown moved to New York. He worked with Tristano and fellow pupils and associates Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh from 1955-1957. During that time he also recorded a session for Vanguard and worked with Ronnie Ball, plus a date in Hollywood with Marsh. He later returned to New York and worked extensively in clubs. Brown recorded with Konitz in 1959, and again in 1976, while heading his own group in the late '70s. Brown continued performing and recording -- occasionally as a leader or co-leader -- into the 21st century, including several dates for the SteepleChase label: Dig It (1999, co-led with Konitz), Preservation (2003, with the Harold Danko Trio), and Shades of Brown (2007, recorded as the saxophonist approached his 80th birthday). ~ Ron Wynn